I really enjoy making this magazine spread using Apple’s word processor and document editor called Pages. Pages provides what I believe to be the bare minimum tools necessary to create quick presentations and then adds a few nice features like adding mirror reflection, page effects, etc. But where I think Pages shine is on the fast learning curve and how intuitive the environment feels after a few minutes of use. I used box shapes to arrange where the text would be, then added the text and played with font style and sizes, changed the color schemes, and finished with a few touches like the reflection effect and the ball note above. I did based the layout on a few examples of actual magazine articles found o the web so there was almost no thought put on the design. But, hey, have you seen the magazine covers lately? They all are copies of their own past editions. If not Google it.

Bottom line, I will be using Apple Pages more and more. It offers just the right amount of tools necessary for most documents in an intuitive and easy to learn environment. Plus, it is all iCloud based so you can edit and finish on the go.

Another one from the Rubi Series. For this shot, we moved back to the white paper background. The setup included a key light to the models right and a hair light. The studio’s white walls acted as a reflector and helped retain details in the shadows.
The XE1 is an amazing camera which I enjoy a lot. Pair it with the 60mm XF Fujinon prime lens and you will be holding a very capable studio portrait system. I would love to have a faster flash sync body but the X-E1 speed is good enough for portraits at 1/180. Although, I am yet to have some luck using my strobes at the rated speed, I always have to go as low as 1/125. Nevertheless, the system delivers great, crip and brilliant pictures.

Shot with the X-E1 & 60mm XF Fujinon running the latest firmware at the time this post was published.

So I decided to try the Butterfly or Paramount lighting technique. I am very surprised I have never tried it before as it is such a simple setup but yields really high glamorous results. It requires a key light high above the model pointing down to illuminate the face, and a reflector right under the camera to soften the shadows. That simple. I could have used a second strobe or flashgun to add light to the model’s hair but I really wanted to focus on the face and pretty much fade everything else. Some light post processing and you have a beautiful portrait.